Oswalt shines in Texas debut

ARLINGTON — Roy Oswalt pitched efficiently into the seventh inning in his first start of the season and the Texas Rangers won their seventh straight, beating the slumping Colorado Rockies 4-1 on Friday night.

Oswalt (1-0) allowed one run and nine hits in 62/3 innings to win for the first time since Sept. 27. The 34-year-old pitched with Philadelphia last season and signed with the Rangers on May 29.

Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli both homered for Texas, which improved to a major-league best 13-3 in interleague play.

Christian Friedrich (4-4) allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings for the Rockies, who have lost 13 of 15.

Oswalt made four starts in the minors before Friday. The right-hander improved to 9-2 lifetime against Colorado.

Oswalt, who struck out six and walked one, was sharp from the start. His fastball was clocked in the low 90s and he showed off his slow curveball that confused Colorado hitters most of the game.

The Rockies didn't muster much against Oswalt until breaking through in the seventh.

Dexter Fowler tripled with two outs and Texas pitching coach Mike Maddux made a trip to the mound to check on Oswalt. Marco Scutaro lined a double to right that knocked Oswalt out of the game.

Oswalt, who was shaking his head as he walked to the dugout, left to a standing ovation. Robbie Ross relieved Oswalt and retired Carlos Gonzalez on a grounder to end the seventh.